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E-invoicing in France: a checklist for freelancers

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Since 1 September 2026, every business in France must be able to receive electronic invoices, and small businesses must send them from September 2027. If you are a freelancer or run a small team, here is what to do, in what order, and how to keep track of it in Tasks.

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What changed in September 2026

France is moving invoices between businesses from PDFs and paper to structured electronic invoices, sent and received through approved platforms. The first step took effect on 1 September 2026: according to the French Ministry of the Economy, every business, whatever its size, must now be able to receive electronic invoices.

For a freelancer, the change can feel abstract until a client's invoice arrives through a platform you never set up, or until your own invoices are refused next year. The good news: the work is mostly a handful of decisions and a bit of admin, and you have until September 2027 to send electronic invoices yourself. The government has also announced a period of tolerance, with no penalties for businesses having start-up difficulties until the end of 2026.

The key dates

  • Since 1 September 2026: all businesses must be able to receive electronic invoices. Large and mid-sized companies must also send them.
  • 1 September 2027: small and medium-sized businesses and micro-entrepreneurs must send their invoices electronically too, and transmit the related e-reporting data.

Receiving and sending both go through an approved platform ("plateforme agréée"). You can choose one directly, or through the tools you already use: your invoicing software, your accountant or your bank. Small businesses may also start sending electronic invoices before 2027 if they want to. The reform concerns invoices between businesses; check the official pages, or ask your accountant, for your exact situation.

The e-invoicing checklist

  1. Choose an approved platform, if you haven't yet. Ask your invoicing software, accountant or bank what they offer before comparing others.
  2. Check you can receive invoices through it, and that you know where your suppliers' invoices now arrive.
  3. Gather your client data: company names, addresses and company identification numbers (SIREN) are needed on structured invoices.
  4. Review your invoice template with your software or accountant, so your invoices contain the information the new format requires.
  5. Plan a test: send one invoice electronically to a friendly client before the deadline, rather than on the day.
  6. Tell your clients and suppliers how you will send and receive invoices from now on.
  7. Write down the new procedure so you, or a teammate, can follow it every month.

Turn it into tasks with deadlines

A checklist only works if each item lands on a day. In Tasks:

  1. Create a flag such as "E-invoicing", so you can filter the list and see every step at once.
  2. Add one task per checklist item, with a short description of what "done" means.
  3. Spread them over the coming months: choose the platform before the end of the year, test in the spring, switch well before September 2027. Use the reschedule button to move a task to the next day when a week gets busy; it stays visible in Future tasks until its day comes.
  4. Add a monthly recurring task, "Check received e-invoices", so supplier invoices arriving through the platform never sit unread. When you complete it, the next one is scheduled for you.

If you already run a year-end checklist, add the e-invoicing steps to it: the end of the year is a natural moment to pick the platform and update your templates.

Write your invoicing procedure in Documents

Once you have chosen your platform, write a short procedure in Documents: where invoices are created, how they are sent, where received invoices arrive, who checks them and when. A one-page Markdown note is enough.

It pays off the first time you are ill, on holiday or bring in a teammate: they can follow the steps without asking you. Give the document a clear title such as "Invoicing procedure", and its flags make it easy to find again.

Tips

  • Start with what you already use. Many invoicing tools, accountants and banks offer access to an approved platform; switching tools is rarely necessary.
  • Don't wait for August 2027. Platforms and accountants will be busy close to the deadline.
  • Keep the old habits for a while. Archive your past PDF invoices as usual; the reform changes how new invoices travel, not your obligation to keep records.
  • Rely on official sources, such as economie.gouv.fr and impots.gouv.fr, rather than sales pitches that promise "compliance" in one click.

FAQ

Do micro-entrepreneurs have to receive e-invoices?

Yes. Since 1 September 2026, all businesses in France must be able to receive electronic invoices, whatever their size. Sending them becomes mandatory for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses on 1 September 2027.

Can I keep sending PDF invoices until 2027?

Small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs have until 1 September 2027 to send electronic invoices. You can switch earlier through an approved platform if you want to get used to it.

Does Tasks send electronic invoices?

No. Tasks is not an invoicing tool or an approved platform. It helps you plan and track the steps of the switch, and keep your procedure where your team can find it.

Is there a penalty if I'm late?

The government has announced a tolerant approach during the start-up phase, with no penalties for businesses having difficulties until the end of 2026. Check the official pages for the rules that apply after that.

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